Alabama QBs AJ McCarron and Phillip Sims talk competition

View full sizeAlabama quarterback A.J. McCarron passes the ball during the first practice session of the season in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Friday, Aug. 5, 2011. (The Birmingham News/Mark Almond)

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama - Alabama quarterbacks AJ McCarron and Phillip Sims spoke with reporters for the first time Sunday prior to Fan Day at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

As expected, both were complimentary of the other and said all the right things regarding the quarterback competition.

"It's been a lot of fun," Sims said of the competition. "Me and AJ have been good friends since I stepped on campus, so it makes it even better for us to compete against each other. We make each other better by competing with each other. Its' been a great opportunity to be around a guy like AJ and we're having fun."

McCarron was asked on the likelihood of sharing time at the position.

"As long as we're winning that doesn't bother me at all," McCarron said. "Me and Phillip talk about it. If I've got to share time to, if he's got to be the guy or I've got to be the guy, we'll both support each other at the end of the day.

"There's no problem sharing time. As long as you're winning, it doesn't matter."

McCarron, a redshirt sophomore, returns with the most experience having backed up two-year starter Greg McElroy last season. Sims is a redshirt freshman.